In the world of cycling the climb of the Col du Tourmalet is mythic. It has been used in the Tour de France around 80 times. It first appeared in the Tour de France in 1910.
The climb is long but coming out of Saint Marie de Campan the gradient is lower before going into tree lined sections which have steeper gradients. The ramps on the Col du Tourmalet are long straightish sections as opposed to hairpin turns seen more in the French Alpine climbs. Around 5km from the summit is La Mongie which has cafes and restaurants. From La Mongie upwards the trees disappear and this section is open to the elements with no shelter.
At the summit of the Col du Tourmalet is a cafe and a sculpture of a cyclist (good photo opportunity). There is also a bust of Jacques Goddet, Director of the Tour de France, after taking over from Henri Degrange. At the cafe the road immediately dips making a descent down the opposite side of the Col du Tourmalet.
The Col du Tourmalet is a long climb but it is well worth the effort to feel what so many professinal cyclists have felt durng the Tour de France and to have the same sense of achievement when you eventually reach the iconic summit.
The Tourmalet was used as a summit finish in the 2010 Tour de France on stage 17 and was won by Andy Schlek.
Country: FRANCE
Mountain range: Hautes Pyrenees
Distance: 17km
Elev Gain: 1268m
Avg Grade: 7%
Max Grade: 10%
Climb cat: HC
Min Elevation: 840m
Max Elevation: 2115m
Suggested Airport: Tarbes–Lourdes–Pyrénées
Suggested Train Station: Gare de Tarbes
